BRADSHAWS BOYS

 The 8th March 2009 is a day that will live with us for a long time,possibly forever. It was the day when along with my wife Barbara we made our first trip to Crufts to show our Border Collie Glen. Our show career is still in its infancy having only starting in November 2006, so to us this was our biggest Show to date,and they do not come any bigger than Crufts!!

Glen qualified for Crufts at the Manchester Champ Show 2008,when he was placed 3rd in the Yearling class. On this occasion Glen was handled by Lou Wilson(Robinson). Lou was infact the person who started us out in our show career. Lou was also kind enough to prepare Glen for us the day before Crufts.

Now onto the day itself. We were up bright and early and after a shower and a quick bite we were on the road to Birmingham at 4.30am. We called at Corley Service station on the M6 for a break and to let Glen stretch his legs etc. While at Corley we met Mrs Jean Hogan, a lady we have met since our show career started. Jean wished us all the best,and said that time permitting she would  come to the Border Collie ring to see how we got on. After our break it was only a short drive up the motorway to the NEC. We arrived in the car park at 6.45am.It was then only a few minutes walk to the show hall. We had visited Crufts last year just as spectators,but this was a different experience. Glen seemed to be taking things all in his stride. We found our benching area and got settled in for our day. It was not long before we were visited by Chris Green, the lady who bred Glen. Glen loves to see Chris,and he showed his usually affection when he saw her. Glen and I then had a look at ring one,just to get acclimatised to the surroundings etc. We had a short practice then we went back to the bench to settle down. The judging began at 8.30am for Border Collies. We were in Undergraduate,then back in for Graduate. The time seemed to fly by and it was'nt long before we were called in for our first class. I tried to settle my nerves,and keep telling myself to just enjoy the occasion. It was after all the biggest dog show in the world. What happened in the next few minutes,as I said will be with me for a long time. After the judge had gone over Glen and we had tried our best to move around the ring in the right way,it was decision time!! The judge,Mrs S.Clark walked up and down the line up to make her choice. Six dogs were to be selected for the placings. At this point my heart was pounding. One dog was selected,then another. Then to my complete surprise Mrs Clark looked at us and told us to join the line up. I could'nt believe it. Mrs Clark then took a final look at the six dogs she had selected and yes!!!!! we had been placed 3rd in our class. The emotions going through me were undescibable. I gave Glen a hug and thanked him for making me the happiest man in the show hall. I looked across to where my wife Barbara and Chris Green were standing and the look of elation on their faces meant every thing to me. All what had happened so far may seem trivial to a lot of people,they after all have been there and done it and gone on to bigger and better things. But getting a place on your Crufts debut, well surely everyone remembers the feeling?  We were not placed in the Graduate class, but by that time I could'nt wait to get out of the ring to see Barbara and Chris. After a few hand shakes from people we have got to know during our show career,it was a big hug for Barbara and Chris. Jean Hogan then came to see me to ask if we had been in, when I said yes and that we had got 3rd place,she was delighted.The rest of the day just passed by. We had a look around the rest of the show and before long we were back to the car and on our way home. Glen sat in the car wondering what all the fuss had been about. Best of breed maybe not, but that third place,Glen we LOVE yah!!!

  JACKSCROFTER THE MAGICIAN

       GLEN @ CRUFTS 2009

We would like to thank Glens breeder Mrs C Green for breeding us such a wonderful boy, and playing her part in Glens placing at Crufts 09.